"Pope Francis's visit was a historic and welcome first for the country," Biden said.

"It sent an important message, as Pope Francis said himself, that 'fraternity is more durable than fratricide, that hope is more powerful than death, that peace more powerful than war.'

"To see Pope Francis visit ancient religious sites, including the biblical birthplace of Abraham, spend time with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf, and offer prayers in Mosul — a city that only a few years ago endured the depravity and intolerance of a group like ISIS — is a symbol of hope for the entire world."

Security was tight during the pope's March 5-8 trip. It had to cater for major security concerns inside Iraq, as well as the additional security needed during ongoing global pandemic: in Iraq, COVID-19 cases were on the rise.

Biden also spoke of Iraq's rich religious heritage, noting it is "steeped in religious and ethnic diversity."

"It's also home to one of the oldest and most diverse Christian communities in the world."

"I congratulate the Government and people of Iraq for the care and planning that went into organizing this monumental visit, and continue to admire Pope Francis for his commitment to promoting religious tolerance, the common bonds of our humanity, and interfaith understanding."

As a long-serving senator and former vice-president, Biden once estimated that he had visited the country a least 24 times.

His views on Iraq have changed over time.

In 2002, he voted to approve the U.S. war in Iraq, a decision he later said was a mistake. His son served in Iraq from 2008 to 2009 as a member of the Delaware Army National Guard.

In 2017, the U.S. State Department declared a genoicide by the so-called Islamic State against the country's Yazidis and other minority groups.

United States' top diplomat, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, was also full of praise for Francis.

He took to social media, saying:

"We believe his visit will inspire hope and help promote religious harmony and understanding among members of the different religions in Iraq and around the world."

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• NCR Online
• Image: Wall Street Journal
  

"We stand alongside all innocent victims of terrorism in peace, solidarity and humanity," said Hazim Arafeh, president of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand.

"The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand condemns all terrorist attacks and joins the rest of the world in deep sorrow as we mourn men, women and children murdered by terrorists and extremists."

The Auckland Council of Christians and Muslims has also unequivocally condemned the recent terrorist acts in Paris, Beirut and Sinai.

They say it is simply not possible to claim religious sanction for such heinous acts.

"The call to be peacemakers in the midst of human division is a central, though frequently forgotten, tenet of both the Christian and Muslim traditions."

The Council has invited all New Zealanders to reaffirm their commitment to thoughtful and consistent peace making as a primary expression of their humanity.

Asif Koya, president of the International Muslim Association of New Zealand, told the New Zealand Herald that he condemned what has happened and feared widespread and indiscriminate recoil on the Islamic community.

"I'm sure Muslim's in France will be affected and I wish them well for the pressure they will come under," Koya said.

"Obviously we are very saddened for all the victims and everyone affected. We condemn any act of violence."

Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy urged New Zealanders to recognise "that terrorism has no religion and that Muslim Kiwis unreservedly and wholeheartedly condemn extremism and violence."

"The Human Rights Commission stands alongside Muslim New Zealanders in their continued and uncompromising call for peace," said Dame Susan.

"Hate starts small but so too does hope. Terrorism has no religion and neither does humanity: we urge Kiwis to stand together in humanity."

On Sunday about 100 people from the Muslim community gathered in downtown Auckland to protest against terrorist group Isis.

Both young and old gathered at the Aotea Square and called on world leaders to unite against the group Isis.

One woman told the group Isis had again struck its deadly hand on the people of France.

But many other people around the world - including in Afghanistan - had lost their lives to terrorist actions.

"Though 120 people have been killed in Paris and the world is shaking right now, but what about the people, the thousands who have been killed [already]? Whoever knows about it?"

The speaker said now was the time for the world's leaders to come together to fight Isis' regime.

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• supplied
• nzherald.co.nz
• hrc.co.nz
• nzherald.co.nz
• nzherald.co.nz
• 3news.co.nz
• Image: nzherald.co.nz

Catholics involved include Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi, Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and Italian international Andrea Pirlo.

They will be joined by self-professed "non-practising Muslim" Zinedine Zidane, who manages Real Madrid, and Italian Buddhist convert Roberto Baggio.

Other stars include Japan's Yuto Nagatomo and Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o.

The idea for the game on September 1 came out of a meeting between football fan Pope Francis and the Argentine and Italian teams last year.

Former Internationale captain and Argentine player Javier Zanetti suggested the Vatican organise a sporting event for people of different religions.

All the proceeds will be donated to a schools network set up by the Pontifical Academy for Sciences and supported by Messi and Buffon called Scholas Occurrentes, and to the PUPI Foundation, a children's charity in Buenos Aires set up by Zanetti and his wife Paula.

Messi won the Golden Ball award as the outstanding player in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

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